Driving in Sri Lanka vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago, understanding their unique traffic regulations and practices is crucial for safe navigation. From variable speed limits and lane usage to alcohol limits and penalties, each nation has distinct guidelines that drivers must adhere to. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when safe. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sri lanka:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
sri lanka:
50 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used more frequently in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sri lanka:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
sri lanka:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
trinidad and tobago:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
sri lanka:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
Flashing Lights: Usage
sri lanka:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
sri lanka:
0.06%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sri lanka:
0.04%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
trinidad and tobago:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
sri lanka:
119
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applied; amount may vary | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days